She glanced over her shoulder and almost came on the spot, seeing the pure evil expression he wore on his handsome face. “You’re being mean.” She pouted.
“Yep. Dom’s prerogative.” He looked so pleased with himself.
“All right, you terrible man, you win.” She loved seeing him smile. He’d changed a lot since college. Sometimes it seemed that he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. It made her want to take care of him.
He gave her ass one last caress before helping her stand. “Ready to go?”
“Just let me grab my purse.” She reached for it, but he stilled her hand.
“Leave it. If you bring it, you’ll need a locker and I don’t want you away from me, even for a moment—not tonight.”
She’d feel naked without her purse—she wouldn’t have her cellphone or even ID. Maybe that was what he wanted. Since she’d refused to take off her clothes at the club, he’d found another way to make her feel vulnerable. “Okay.” Eva opened a cabinet door in the kitchen and pulled her extra apartment key out of a cup. “Will you carry this with you?”
Gio took the key and added it to his ring. She had the distinct impression that she wasn’t getting it back.
As Gio locked the door behind them, Eva stood beside him, already missing the comforting pull of her purse on her shoulder. She was nervous and would have latched onto the strap. Without it, she didn’t know what to do with her hands.
“Thank you for trusting me.” Gio put his arm around her shoulders while they walked down the steps. “How’s your bum?”
The sting had faded, leaving behind a warm tingle. It was crazy, but when she focused on that, she felt safe and her nerves began to settle. She looked up at him, wondering if he’d brought it up on purpose. The knowing look in his eyes told her he had. “I’ve been told by a very trustworthy authority that it’s perfect.”
“That it is.” He gave her ass a love pat then opened the passenger door of his truck. Once she was settled and belted, Gio stood back and frowned. “You belong in an elegant car, not an old work truck.”
Eva laughed. Only Gio would be concerned over something like that. “My family ‘drives’ a horse and buggy. I really don’t think riding in your immaculate work truck is going to be a hardship.”
He smiled then got in on his side. They drove in silence until they were on the Loop 101.
“You said something last night that I don’t understand. When I asked why you wouldn’t stay with me, you said, ‘Because I want it too much’. What does that mean?”
Before she could formulate her answer, he continued. “If you’re afraid I’m going to leave you again, don’t be. I thought about you every day. Leaving you, hurting you, was the biggest mistake of my life. I would never do that again.”
She reached over and took his hand. “I thought that was the problem. I worried that some other issue would arise and you’d take off. I tried to put this off on you, but I realized that isn’t it. You’ve proven you’re a different man now and while I don’t agree with why you left, I can see why you did it. In your own way, you were being noble.”
“Then what’s wrong? Why are you afraid to give us a second chance?” he asked quietly.
“This is hard to talk about. When we’re together, I want to lose myself in you. The moment I see you, I’m suddenly happy. You touch me and I crave more. I want to give you everything.” She shook her head. “It isn’t healthy. When you left, I didn’t know how to continue on. We’d made plans together, laid out our future together. After we broke up, I felt like I didn’t have a future at all. I need to know that no matter what, I can stand on my own two feet and survive. It was bad before we added in the D/s. Being your submissive makes me even more vulnerable. I’m handing my power over to you.”
“It’s a power exchange, Eva. I’m giving you power too. It’s just a different type. When you submit to me, do you feel less whole?”
“No, I feel…complete.”
Could it really be that simple?
“A Dom doesn’t tear down or take away. They build up, support and protect.” He squeezed her hand a little tighter. “Eva, you’ve done wonderful things already with your life—Rookie Teacher of the Year, then a year later Teacher of the Year. You’re a mentor for those just beginning in the profession and that doesn’t even count the achievements you’ve made at the crisis center. I want to be your life partner. I want to help you achieve your goals. If I thought for one minute that being with me would take away from your life, I wouldn’t be sitting here begging for a chance to make our life together.”
“But if we broke up again or if something happened to you, I’d be destroyed.” It was as simple as that. If she gave him her heart and soul, she’d never be whole without him.
“If something happened to me, you’d grieve for a while then pick yourself up and continue on, just like we both did after college. You might have struggled for a time, but you got your degree, you made friends and you helped the community—just like I went on to finish school and build my business. We can stand on our own two feet when we need to, but together we can be so much more.”
Grieve?
That was exactly what she’d done. At the crisis center, she sometimes counseled people on the stages of grief. It was normal to feel lost and without hope while you were grieving. Something clicked into place for her. Those horrible feelings were okay. It didn’t mean she was weak… It was part of the process. Having a desperate thought wasn’t the same as acting on it. She’d managed to pull her life together. She’d risen to the challenge while she’d been all alone and in a completely foreign environment. If she had to, she could again.
Was she grasping at straws? Did she want to be with Gio so badly she was willing to find any excuse to make it okay? It was possible. Grief didn’t only occur after a death. Her dreams for the future had flatlined when Gio had walked out the door.
She’d certainly gone through four of the five stages of the grieving process. The only one she hadn’t come close to was acceptance. Without closure, she couldn’t accept it. After Gio had explained his actions, it should have been over. She should have been able to finally let it go, but she couldn’t. She still loved him. She always had.
As one concern was put to bed, another rose to take its place. Her anxiety level hit a new high when Gio pulled into the parking lot of Dom’s Place. The club looked like a castle with a parapet and a tower. She looked around, but only saw one car. Maybe this would be okay. Gio drove around to the side of the building and punched in a security code on a keypad that opened two large wooden doors that led down to an underground parking structure.
“Wow. That’s pretty cool.” She looked around and her nerves took another hike. Almost all the spots were filled. It was a busy night at Dom’s Place.
“My parents are huge on privacy. This way, members don’t have to worry about their cars being seen by anyone outside the club.” Gio circled away from the entrance to a nondescript door. “We’re going to go in the back way. I’ll get your door.”
Eva fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, while Gio came around to the passenger side of the truck. She wished they were at DiscipliNation—at least there she knew the rules.
Gio opened her door, but blocked her exit. He ran a finger lightly along the base of her neck. “Will you wear my collar?”
Her heart pounded faster. Truth was, she wanted to belong to Gio. She always had. “Yes.”
Gio pulled a beautifully wrapped box from behind the seat and handed it to her.
Eva’s hands shook as she delicately opened the box. Lifting the lid, she found a gold chain, but instead of clasping with a lobster claw, a padlock connected the two ends. An intricate key rested in the middle. “Oh, Gio. I don’t know what to say. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
“Say you’ll give us a chance.”
This is what he’d meant when he’d said he had a special evening planned. She nodded. “I want that, Gio. I want to be your girl again.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I can’t promise I won’t screw up, Eva, but I swear I’ll never give you a reason to doubt my love.”
“Don’t make me cry.” She had to lighten the mood or she’d ruin her makeup for sure.
He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. With a wink he told her, “Well, we can’t have that!” He slid the collar around her neck, but held the lock out for her to read the inscription.
Eva, you own my heart.
Her throat tightened and speaking was out of the question. She kissed him, pouring everything she wanted to say but couldn’t into it. When they broke apart, they were both gasping for breath.
Gio’s hand trembled as he clasped the lock. “May I keep this?” He held up the key.
If he kept it, she wouldn’t be able to remove it without his permission. The enormity of the moment sank in and she had to blink fast to keep tears from streaming down her cheek. “Yes, please do.”
Gio flipped over his right wrist, revealing the rectangular silver clasp for his leather bracelet. He pushed something and it popped open revealing a photo of the two of them back in college. He placed the key inside and closed it again.
If she wasn’t mistaken, the leather portion was the one she’d given him all those many years ago. “You made that, didn’t you?”
He nodded. “The picture was getting scratched in my wallet, but I couldn’t stand to be without it. I had a smaller copy made.” He ran his finger over the soft leather band. “I must have put on a few pounds, because the bracelet you gave me barely tied anymore so I made this to keep them both safe.”
He was definitely killing her. How could she have ever doubted that he loved her? “I wasn’t going to say anything, but you have really porked up.” She patted his flat, muscular tummy.
“You’ve given me permission to discipline you as I see fit and even if I choose not to at the club, I have a long memory. Are you sure you want to play with fire, sweetheart?” He gave her hair a nice, hard tug.
Butterflies flew in her stomach and her nipples grew hard and achy. “I’m already burning for you, Sir,” she whispered in his ear.
Gio groaned and nibbled her neck. “I love you, Eva.”
“I love you, Gio.”
“I thought I’d never hear those words again.” He took a deep breath. “You’ve made me a very happy man, Eva.” Gio smiled and looked around. “Not the most romantic setting, but I’ll take it.”
She smacked his arm. “Hey, you started it. Should I have held out for a carriage ride through Old Town Scottsdale before I answered you?”
“No. There’s never a wrong time to tell me you love me. I want to hear it often.” Gio closed the jewelry box and placed it back behind the seat. He held out his hand and helped her from the truck before grabbing his kit.
As they were walking to the entrance, she playfully bumped her hip into his. “I’m nervous.”
“Me too.” He shot her a grin then punched in a code granting them access to the club.
They walked down a hallway that reminded Eva of the administrative offices wing of DiscipliNation. Near the doorway that she suspected led to the great hall, she heard a man call to Gio.
“Good to see you, son,” Carlo Parma called out.
“Deep breath,” Gio whispered to Eva before turning around and greeting his father.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet my submissive, Eva. Eva, please greet my father, Master Carlo.” Gio put a gentle hand on her lower back.
Panic sent a tremor down her spine. She had no idea what was expected of her. Should she shake his hand, kneel, look him in the eye?
Damn it.
Eva glanced at the floor. “Pleased to meet you, Sir.”
“It’s an honor to meet you again, Eva. Gio has told me so much about you. I’m pleased you decided to visit our club.”
Eva had forgotten Mr Parma’s old world accent. She knew he was using his soft and cuddly voice at the moment, but she could just imagine how intimidating he would be when irritated.
“Thank you, Sir. I’m happy to be here.” That was a lie. She was happy to be with Gio, but she wished they were someplace alone. Someplace where she knew she wouldn’t embarrass him.
“I see you had the good sense to collar her, son. Congratulations. That looks like a David’s Original. Did you have that made?” His father bent down and scrutinized the lock.
“Yes, I spoke with him over the weekend,” Gio admitted.
Father and son gazed at each other and seemed to have some unspoken conversation. After a moment or two, Carlo shook hands with Gio.
“Eva, dear, make yourself at home. I’m sure my wife will be inviting you to dinner soon. Please ask her to make lasagna. It’s my favorite and I can’t get enough.” With that, Carlo turned and went back into what looked like his office.
“Over the weekend, huh?” Eva teased Gio. “Pretty sure of yourself, weren’t ya?”
“I believe in being prepared.” He beamed down at her.
“Did I do okay, greeting your dad? I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do.” She bit her lip, hoping she hadn’t disappointed him.
“Perfect.” He opened the door and they entered the great hall. “I thought we’d sit down and have a drink.” He fisted her hair, tipping her head back so she was forced to meet his gaze. “I’ll give you a choice. Do you want to sit on my lap or kneel at my feet?”
“I’d prefer to kneel, Sir,” Eva answered as she looked around the club. The walls looked like stone. The area was lit by electric torches casting everything in a warm glow. It was everything you’d expect from a medieval castle.
Gio grabbed a throw pillow off a stack and tossed it down between his legs as he sat on a couch. “Face me.”
“Yes, Sir.” She went to her knees, wondering what she was supposed to do with her hands.
Gio placed a gentle touch on her shoulder, signaling for her to sit on her heels. “Lay your head in my lap and get comfortable.”
Resting her cheek on his leather clad thigh sent her temperature rising. She was just a few inches from his cock. If they were at DiscipliNation, she’d likely risk a touch or two, but this was unfamiliar territory and she decided it was best to err on the side of caution.
“Gina, please bring me a water and a diet soda,” Gio told a server.
Eva liked this position a lot. Gio’s hand stroking the hair away from her face felt heavenly. She could almost forget they were in a crowded club and pretend it was just the two of them.